winnow

verb

Definition of winnownext
as in to cull
to remove less desirable choices from a group or list They winnowed the pool of applicants down to a few of the strongest candidates. I tried to winnow out the options that weren't a good value for the price.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of winnow Swalwell’s exit left no clear Democratic frontrunner — and efforts by party leaders to winnow the field went unheeded. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 Even in the face of Comcast’s subscriber-winnowing move to shift NESN to its pricier service tier, the network’s ratings continue to grow. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026 Through it all, Democrats showed no collective ability to recruit other, better contenders into the race, winnow the field, or even produce one or two candidates that voters were genuinely excited about. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026 With 21 applicants to choose from, the Miami-Dade School Board kicked off the process of winnowing down that field to select a new superintendent at a special meeting Wednesday. — Austin Horn june 25, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for winnow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winnow
  1. cull
  2. pare
  3. trim
  4. cut
  5. reduce
  6. sift
Verb
  • His Raising Cane’s work, titled Cane’s Anthem, continues the Pop-lite aesthetic, utilizing phrases and images that appear to be culled from the mass media.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026
  • The program has been a key pillar of his efforts to cull potentially ineligible voters from state rolls.
    — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of cull
Verb
  • Men’s fashion was generally pared back and models sporting it often had natural-looking hair and makeup at the recent Paris catwalk displays for spring 2027.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 30 June 2026
  • With the market suddenly awash with oil, price estimates are being pared across the board.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of pare
Verb
  • Miller’s exact dress from Debute London, which features a bustier top, lace trim, and a short hemline, is a great example of the details that turn the trend more contemporary, while still nodding to its nostalgic, charming nature.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • Mow regularly and trim your edges, since ticks lurk in tall grass and brush.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Displaying tactical discipline and superior talent, the English national team defeated Mexico 3-2 with a lineup reduced to 10 men on Sunday night.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • For Warsh, all of these data points, plus others from various agencies, present a complicated mosaic that his task forces will have to sift through.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 1 July 2026
  • Then, aided by technology and evolving search parameters, police sift through for potential suspects.
    — Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
Definition of sift

Browse Nearby Words

winnings
winnow
winnowed
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Cite this Entry

“Winnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winnow. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of winnow for Spanish Speakers

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